FREE ESSAY ON THE SPAIN CERVANTES LIVED IN

THE SPAIN CERVANTES LIVED IN

The Spain Cervantes Lived In
Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra, writer of the world famous novel Don Quixote, was born in
Spain in 1547. He was the son of a practical doctor, and although they were hidalgos, a
title of lesser nobility, they were relatively poor. Cervantes' life can be described as
somewhat chaotic. Coincidentally, the time period when he was alive was also considered
chaotic in Europe, and particularly in Spain.
Europe as a whole was going through the Renaissance, bringing about change in every
aspect of life. In Spain, Charles V, was king. He divided his kingdom and gave Spain to
his son Philip. Philip later married Mary of Tudor, and so he was briefly ruler of both
Spain and England. Philip was committed to restoring a Catholic and orthodox Europe. He
rarely left the country and spoke only Spanish. Spain had been united through the
marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand, and soon that country would once again have to unite,
but in war. 
Sixteenth century Spain could be considered a victim of its own wealth. Their prosperity
was not based on actual economic growth, and millitary expenses were leaving Spain in a
worse position than before their unification. Many parts of Spain were establishing a
picaresque atmosphere; Alcala, which is where Cervantes was from, was such a place, and
could be where he got the inspiration to recreate picaresque scenes in further writings.
At the same time, Spain was also going through the Golden Age. Well into the seventeenth
century, music, art, literature, theater, dress, and manners from Spain's Golden Age were
admired and imitated. Spain set a standard by which the rest of Europe measured its
culture. Spain was also known for its great military power, also known as the Spanish
Armada.
The Spanish Armada, also called the Invincible Armada, was a fleet intended to invade
England and to put an end to the conflicts with England over colonies and possessions of
the Spanish Crown. Philip hoped to send his ships into the channel and slowly conquer
England. The defeat of the Grand Armada in 1588 avoided the planned invasion of England
but was not a permanent setback for the Spanish fleet, which recovered and continued to
be an effective naval force in European waters.
It is in the approach of the seventeenth century that Spain begins to see its decline in
power. Philip has his third bankruptcy, and in the next year he passes away. Neither
Philip III, or Philip IV provided the great leadership of their father.
Cervantes himself was not only influenced by this time period, but later influenced some
events, through his own life experiences. During the time of the war, he served time in
the military, where he fought bravely in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. There he lost the
use of his left hand. Returning to Spain by sea, he was captured by Algerian corsairs,
and made a slave for five years. After four attempts to escape, he was finally ransomed
and sent back home. Cervantes was married at age 37 to a woman of 19. He also had an
affair which created his only offspring. 
Financial problems threw Cervantes back in jail in 1597 which is thought to be the time
when he created Don Quixote. After the success of this novel, Cervantes settled in
Madrid, just after the return of Philip III. In 1613, Cervantes wrote the Exemplory
Novels, and promised a second part to Don Quixote. The success of this novel brought
about jealousy from some other existing writers. One was Lope de Vega, who is insulted in
the novel itself. 
And so the poet tries to adapt himself to the requirements of the manager who pays him
for his work. The truth of that can be seen by the infinite number of plays written by
one most fertile genius of these kingdoms with so much splendour and so much grace, with
such well turned verses, such choice language, such serious thought, and lastly with so
much eloquence and in so lofty a style that the world is full of his fame; and yet,
because he wishes to suit the taste of the actors, not all his pieces have achieved, as
some have, the perfection which art requires.
This brought about the existence of a fake sequel to Cervantes' novel. A writer by the
name A. Fernandez de Avellaneda came out with the pretend sequel Segunda Parte del
Quixote. The result of this was Cervantes real sequel, which came out shortly before his
death. Cervantes moved once more with his wire and servant in 1615, and died in 1616.
The events that took place in Spain during the sixteenth and seventeenth century truly
had an impact on the life of Cervantes. Its result: a genius throughout time who has
inspired many more for years to come. One can see aspects of his life throughout his
work, which was an effect of what took place in Spain from 1547, to 1616.
The Spain Cervantes Lived In
Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra, writer of the world famous novel Don Quixote, was born in
Spain in 1547. He was the son of a practical doctor, and although they were hidalgos, a
title of lesser nobility, they were relatively poor. Cervantes' life can be described as
somewhat chaotic. Coincidentally, the time period when he was alive was also considered
chaotic in Europe, and particularly in Spain.
Europe as a whole was going through the Renaissance, bringing about change in every
aspect of life. In Spain, Charles V, was king. He divided his kingdom and gave Spain to
his son Philip. Philip later married Mary of Tudor, and so he was briefly ruler of both
Spain and England. Philip was committed to restoring a Catholic and orthodox Europe. He
rarely left the country and spoke only Spanish. Spain had been united through the
marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand, and soon that country would once again have to unite,
but in war. 
Sixteenth century Spain could be considered a victim of its own wealth. Their prosperity
was not based on actual economic growth, and millitary expenses were leaving Spain in a
worse position than before their unification. Many parts of Spain were establishing a
picaresque atmosphere; Alcala, which is where Cervantes was from, was such a place, and
could be where he got the inspiration to recreate picaresque scenes in further writings.
At the same time, Spain was also going through the Golden Age. Well into the seventeenth
century, music, art, literature, theater, dress, and manners from Spain's Golden Age were
admired and imitated. Spain set a standard by which the rest of Europe measured its
culture. Spain was also known for its great military power, also known as the Spanish
Armada.
The Spanish Armada, also called the Invincible Armada, was a fleet intended to invade
England and to put an end to the conflicts with England over colonies and possessions of
the Spanish Crown. Philip hoped to send his ships into the channel and slowly conquer
England. The defeat of the Grand Armada in 1588 avoided the planned invasion of England
but was not a permanent setback for the Spanish fleet, which recovered and continued to
be an effective naval force in European waters.
It is in the approach of the seventeenth century that Spain begins to see its decline in
power. Philip has his third bankruptcy, and in the next year he passes away. Neither
Philip III, or Philip IV provided the great leadership of their father.
Cervantes himself was not only influenced by this time period, but later influenced some
events, through his own life experiences. During the time of the war, he served time in
the military, where he fought bravely in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. There he lost the
use of his left hand. Returning to Spain by sea, he was captured by Algerian corsairs,
and made a slave for five years. After four attempts to escape, he was finally ransomed
and sent back home. Cervantes was married at age 37 to a woman of 19. He also had an
affair which created his only offspring. 
Financial problems threw Cervantes back in jail in 1597 which is thought to be the time
when he created Don Quixote. After the success of this novel, Cervantes settled in
Madrid, just after the return of Philip III. In 1613, Cervantes wrote the Exemplory
Novels, and promised a second part to Don Quixote. The success of this novel brought
about jealousy from some other existing writers. One was Lope de Vega, who is insulted in
the novel itself. 
And so the poet tries to adapt himself to the requirements of the manager who pays him
for his work. The truth of that can be seen by the infinite number of plays written by
one most fertile genius of these kingdoms with so much splendour and so much grace, with
such well turned verses, such choice language, such serious thought, and lastly with so
much eloquence and in so lofty a style that the world is full of his fame; and yet,
because he wishes to suit the taste of the actors, not all his pieces have achieved, as
some have, the perfection which art requires.
This brought about the existence of a fake sequel to Cervantes' novel. A writer by the
name A. Fernandez de Avellaneda came out with the pretend sequel Segunda Parte del
Quixote. The result of this was Cervantes real sequel, which came out shortly before his
death. Cervantes moved once more with his wire and servant in 1615, and died in 1616.
The events that took place in Spain during the sixteenth and seventeenth century truly
had an impact on the life of Cervantes. Its result: a genius throughout time who has
inspired many more for years to come. One can see aspects of his life throughout his
work, which was an effect of what took place in Spain from 1547, to 1616.